Pipe-harmonica support.



No. 860,484- PATENTED JULY 16,1907. S. KEELER.

PIPE HARMONICA SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTJB. 1906.

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PATENTED JULY 16, 1907.

S. KEELBR. PIPE HARMONICA SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.13. 1906.

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311mm l'o-c A g Mia atkozmug/f I/vi in @9020 UNITED STATES SMITH KEELER,OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,

PIPE-HARMONICA. SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1907.

Application filed September 13, 1906. Serial No. 334,477.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SMITH KEELER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Miami, in the county of Dade, State of Florida, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Pipe-Harmonica Supports;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention consists of pipe-harmonicas and means for supporting thesame, from the shoulders, below the mouth and the upper ends of thepipes arranged on a curve, so that as the player turns his head iromside to side, the mouth of each pipe shall be at the same distance fromhis lips, leaving his hands iree to play an accompaniment on anotherinstrument, such as a piano, harp, guitar or banjo.

The invention also consists in connecting three different sets of pipesto be played in three different keys, the pipes of each set beingarranged on a curve, as stated and made rotary on the support so thatany set desired may be brought into position to be played upon and whenbrought into position to be held with suiiicient force againstaccidental movement out oi proper position.

The invention is clearly represented in the annexed drawing, forming apart of this specification, in view of which it will first be describedwith respect to its construction and manner of use, and then be pointedout in the subjoined claims.

Of the said drawings :Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention.Fig. 2 is a transverse section showing the manner of supporting thethree series of pipes at the bottom. Fig. 3 is a plan showing the manner01' supporting the pipes on the top of the spindle so that they may berotated thereon. Fig. 4 isa perspective view oi a modified form ofsupporting means for a single series of pipes. I

Similar numerals oi reference designate similar parts or features, asthe case may be, wherever they occur.

In the drawings referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the numerals l0designate three sets of pipes each contrived to be played in a differentkey, each set of pipes'are connected by solder or otherwise with theirmouths ll, in the same horizontal plane and arranged on a curved linefor a purpose to be presently explained. 12 designates two lengths ofWire curved at their upper ends to extend over the shoulders of theplayer upon the said mu sical device, which wires are of such length asto bring the tips ll of the pipes within reach of his lips. 13 designates a breast-plate extending between the vertical portions of thewires, the lower portions of which are curved outwardly as at 14', andthen turned inwardly meeting each other at 15, whence together they areturned vertically upward lorining a supporting means ior a spindle 16 onwhich the three series of pipes 10 are adapted to turn. The upper partoi the spindle i6 is provided with a collar 17, having a hole in itscenter through which projects the upper end of the spindle. Anapproximately triangular frame 18 connected on its outer side to thepipes by solder or other means, not only keeps the pipes of each seriesin proper position but maintains the proper relationship of the threeseries to each other, as well. 19 designates a light spring secured atits lower end to the wire 14 and curved upward and given a bend 20 of aform that adapts it to fit about the largest pipe 01' each series, sothat as the connected series of pipes are turned 011 the spindle 16, (asthey may be, the spring 20 yielding to slight force exerted upon it) thelargest pipe of the outer series will be caught in the bend 20 and lockthe entire series in place, with the upper ends oi the inner series inposition to be reached by the lips of the person upon whose shouldersthe support is adjusted, so that he can play upon the said inner series.

As the player moves his head around from side to side to bring his lipsin contact with the mouth 01' the pipe he wishes to sound, his lips willnaturally in their movement, with his head describe an arc of a circle,hence the mouths of the pipes are arranged on a circular line, asexplained. When a series of pipes of a different key from those beingplayed upon are desired to be brought into place, the player can by hislips or by hand turn the set on the spindle 16, bringing such desiredset into position. There can be additional sets of pipes tuned in otherkeys that can be instantly substituted for those in place on thespindle.

In Fig. l a modiiied l'orm oi support is employed [or use with a singleseries 01' pipes, which have their mouths arranged circularly as beloreexplained, but which united series are sustained on the verticalportions of the wires 12, the said vertical portions being in this caseseparated as shown. The shoulder hooks oi the wires 12 can be readilybent to adjust the mouths of the pipes to suit the position verticallyoi the lips oi the player.

What is claimed as the invention, is'.--

1. A pipeharmonicztholder consisting of curved lengths of wire adapted,to extend over the shoulders and curving down to the breast in front,combined with a series of vcr tically arranged pipes 01' differentlengths and diameters connected and having their mouths arranged in thesame horizontal plane 011 a curved line and supported by the said holderin front and in proximity to the players lips.

z. A pipe-harmonicaholder comprising curved lengths of wires adapted toextend over the shoulders and curving down to the breast in front,combined with a plural series of pipes each series attuned in :1different key from the others and the several series rotatubly supportedon the holder in front of and in proximity to the lips of the player anda light spring locking wire arranged to engage one of the pipes of a setand hold the several sets from being accidentally rotated on theirsupport.

3. A series of vertically arranged harmonica pipes hav- 1() ing" theirmouths disposed in the same horizontal plane,

